WindRestrictor Soon to be Available for C5 Corvette
The Extremely Popular WindRestrictor is coming for C5 Corvette Convertibles
King Penn Industries' incredibly popular LED Lighted WindRestrictor which had previously only been available for C6 Corvettes is coming for C5 drivers as well - (1/19/2012)
Every now and then a product comes along that's so innovative and exciting it takes a consumer market by storm, and that's exactly what King Penn's LED lighted WindRestrictor did last year for the C6 Corvette public. Designed to help minimize wind noise when driving with the top down, wind buffers/screens are nothing new for Corvette drivers. A number of different net versions have been sold over the years, but none have offered the good looks and quality of the WindRestrictor.
Manufactured from incredible clear acrylic materials, the Corvette C5 WindRestrictor provides the functionality of other wind screens with little to no decreased visibility. This visibility is a large plus over other models similar to it, but is by no means the only point of interest on this product. In addition to the incredible construction, the WindRestrictor is also a unique, stylish, and gorgeous custom product. It's available with a number of different etching options--for the Corvette, much any GM licensed Corvette emblem you can imagine is available--and has available LED lighting which shines through the clear WindRestrictor plate for a fantastic glow.
Also setting the WindRestrictor apart, visually and in construction quality, is its mounting system. Many other wind screens for the Corvette convertible use sub-par mounting systems that are bulky and unattractive and require removing the wind screen when the top is up, but the developers over at King Penn Industries realized this basic structural flaw in the standard wind screen construction and developed their WindRestrictor to be able to remain in place with the top both up and down.
Thankfully, this product is finally available for the fifth generation Corvette. It has been one of my favorites for the C6 since it's release, and will certainly be very welcome for the C5 Corvette as well. The quality and style are undeniable, and the design is unlike any other! Of course, this hasn't been officially announced by King Penn Industries yet, so until it is the release of the product is little more than "rumor" I acquired by talking to the right person on the right phone call, but you can trust me that it will certainly be happening. I'd expect to see the C5 Convertible Corvette WindRestrictor start hitting dealer websites within 3-4 weeks time.
Chevrolet Announces 2013 Corvette 427
Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible Collector's Edition
Chevrolet is unveiling a special edition 427 Corvette Convertible Collector Edition vehicle to celebrate the vehicle's 60th Anniversary
The C6 Corvette will soon see its hallowed production run come to an end, but not without a little excitement and fanfare first. 2013 will see Chevrolet release two special Collector's Edition Corvette models as a means of celebrating both the 60th year of production for the trademark vehicle, and also the final year of the C6. The first of these special editions will be the 60th Anniversary Corvette, but it's the second that's more exciting: the 427 Convertible, which will be the fastest Convertible Corvette ever produced.
"The 2013 model year will be historic for Corvette, marking its 60th Anniversary and the final year for the current ‘C6’ generation," said Chris Perry, who is the acting vice president of Global Marketing and Strategy for Chevrolet. Perry then continued, "We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate these milestones than bringing back one of the most-coveted combinations in the brand’s history – the Corvette convertible and a 427 cubic-inch engine."
60 Years of Automotive History - The 2013 427 Corvette Convertible celebrates everything the Corvette has achieved over the last 60 years.
That's right, those math proficient readers out there, 427 means 7.0L. That means that in 2013 we'll see a Corvette Convertible outfitted with the 7.0L LS7 Corvette Z06 engine rated at 505HP and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine, in conjunction with other cues taken from the Z06 and Corvette ZR1 will combine to make the 427 Convertible the quickest and most impressive Corvette convertible ever produced.
The LS7 power plant at the heart of the new 427 Convertible isn't the only thing to set this special edition Corvette apart, either. The 427 Corvette Convertible--which, like the Z06 will only be available in six-speed manual transmission--features a number of other components to help make it a true performance masterpiece. The 427 Convertible utilizes the driveline and rear-axle from the Z06 Corvette for a more optimized driving experience than the base C6 Convertible. In addition to this Z06 driveline, the 427 Convertible will also utilize a rear-mounted battery as the Z06 does for improved weight distribution, as well as Chevrolet's highly respected Magnetic Selective Ride Control Suspension--a system that's rather revolutionary in its construction and function. The 19 and 20 inch front and rear offset wheels will be of the lightweight, machine-face Cup variety seen on the PDE Performance packages of the 2012 Z06 and ZR1, and will wrapped in the much lauded Michelin PS2 Tires of Corvette ZR1 fame.
The 427 Corvette is the fastest Convertible Corvette ever produced, and rivals the world's fastest convertibles in every facet.
To better improve performance, and offset the added weight of the Convertible, the 427 Corvette Convertible will also feature a great deal of carbon fiber. Each piece is dry carbon fiber that's vacuum formed, just as Chevrolet has utilized on the Z06 Carbon special edition and ZR1. Up front, the "CFZ" Carbon Fiber front splitter is optional, and the 2011 Z06 Carbon raised Carbon Fiber hood is standard. The side-skirt/rocker panels, also of the "CFZ" Carbon Fiber variety, are optional down the side, but the special edition Carbon Fiber Z06-Style fenders and Carbon Fiber floor panels are standard on the vehicle. With all optional equipment, this special edition 427 will certainly save a great deal of unnecessary weight, and feature a much improved--and very performance minded--boost to aerodynamics, and drag and downforce numbers.
In fact, fully outfitted, the final curb weight of the 2013 427 Corvette Convertible will be 3,355 pounds. This curb weight, when coupled with the 505 HP LS7 Engine underneath the raised carbon fiber Corvette hood, will result in a power to weight ratio of 6.64. This ratio--which is ultimately the most important stat in considering performance potential, since it utilizes raw HP numbers and also accounts for vehicle weight--puts the 427 Corvette Convertible above such other super cars as the: Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet (6.90 p:w ratio), Audi R8 RSI Spyder (7.58), and Ferrari California Convertible (8.31), among many many other road-shredding convertible monsters.
Once you've seen this vehicle in all of its beauty and understand everything that it's capable of, it's easy to see how this car is truly the product of 60 years of Corvette progress.
The expectations for performance from this vehicle are amazing, too. The official 0-60 numbers are expected to clock in sub 3.9 seconds, with a top speed in excess of 190mph and expected quarter-mile time below 12 seconds. All of this combines to make the 427 among the world's fastest convertibles, in any automotive price class or category.
Like other Corvettes, various amenities will be available for the 427 Corvette based on the trim line selected. The 427 will be available in 2LT, 3LT, and 4LT configurations--and price will be adjusted accordingly, you can rest assured. Each 427 Convertible Corvette will also be marked with a unique VIN number sequence to verify its place as a true collectible automobile, now and in to the future, just as the ZR1 Corvettes are.
And if you want to make your 427 Convertible a truly unique collectible, you can elect to order it in the special edition 60th Anniversary Package trim. This package will actually be available on all Corvettes produced in 2013, and will feature Arctic White exterior with a Blue Diamond leather-wrapped interior with suede accents (the Convertible Corvettes purchased with this package will also be outfitted with matching blue convertible tops).
In addition to the custom paint job and interior, the 60th Anniversary Package will feature a few other goodies. Chief amongst them is the much envied ZR1 style rear spoiler. In addition to this spoiler, the 60th Anniversary package will also feature: special 60th Anniversary Corvette badging, gray-painted brake calipers, and the “60th” Anniversary Corvette logo emblazoned on the wheel center caps, and embroidered on the steering wheel and seat headrests. An optional blue striping package will be available for this who wish to have it, and will be identifiable by the full-length Pearl Silver Blue racing stripes, and (this is the real exciting one, I think), tonally-matching stripes stitched in to the Corvette Convertible top that extend the racing stripe graphic over the top of the Convertible as well. A custom stitched, racing stripe top on a 427 Corvette--how cool does that sound?
Of course, to mark the Anniversary and celebrate the life of the beloved C6, all 2013 Corvettes will feature 60th Anniversary badges on the fascias and the “waterfall” panel on convertible models, as well as 60th logos in the instrument panel gauge cluster and on the door sill plates. If you want one of these special 60th Anniversary Edition 427 Corvette Convertibles, be sure to attend the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, where Chevrolet will auction off the very first one produced (with much sought-after matching VIN number) and will donate the proceeds of to AARP's Drive to End Hunger. That's right, you can buy yourself the coolest Corvette to hit the road and help out those in need at the same! If this sounds like something you might be interested in, be sure to check out the January 21st auction.
(Click the gallery images below for full, background-sized Corvette images)
-
- 60 Years of Automotive History – The 2013 427 Corvette Convertible celebrates everything the Corvette has achieved over the last 60 years.
-
- The 427 Corvette is the fastest Convertible Corvette ever produced, and rivals the world’s fastest convertibles in every facet.
-
- Once you’ve seen this vehicle in all of its beauty and understand everything that it’s capable of, it’s easy to see how this car is truly the product of 60 years of Corvette progress.
GM Produces 100-Millionth Small Block
GM Produces 100-Millionth Small Block Engine
A ZR1 LS9 Engine just produced by Chevrolet was the 100-Millionth manufactured by the company.
In the past 56 years, since Chevrolet began producing small block engines, the bowtie emblazoned automotive company and the small block engine has been synonymous with one another. In that time, every iconic car produced by Chevrolet has been known and linked to their famous small-block engine design in some manner. Most recently, the fifth generation Camaro has become a small block powered icon on both road and track, much like it's LS small block powered big brother, the Corvette.
The sheer number there--100,000,000 for those who like lots of zeroes--really highlights the durability, reputation, and potential of the small block and speaks to the iconic nature of the GM engine. It is fitting then to also consider that the first small block, introduced in 1955, was built for the first generation Corvette and the 100-millionth produced was a hand-crafted work of art LS9 made specifically for the sixth generation Corvette's special edition ZR1--the fastest Corvette ever produced.
Of course, the transition from the first small block to the modern pinnacle LS9 is a long one, filled with numerous exciting and memorable engines. In 1992 Chevrolet first introduced its second-generation Small Block, known as the LT1, in to its Corvette. This engine became an absolute staple on tracks across the globe, and adorned various vehicles from that Corvette, to the F-Body Camaro and Firebird, and the B-Body Impala SS and Caprice Police car. The LT1, which featured a newly developed reverse cooling, is still being used in races all across the globe today.
Following the second generation, Chevrolet then introduced their first LS Engine in 1997. This third generation small block, which was first placed in the C5 Corvette, was an even greater step forward. The LS engines are all-aluminum small blocks, and the first of them, the LS1, was rated a naturally aspirated 350HP and 365 lb ft of torque--numbers that, today, are still incredibly impressive for a naturally aspirated 5.7L engine. The LS engine was then featured, in some form, in numerous different vehicles and even had a more powerful, LS6 version introduced in the C5 Z06 Corvette in 2001. This LS6 featured the same 5.7L displacement as its LS1 brethren, but put out a stomach churning 405HP and 400 lb ft of torque.
Those numbers were fairly mind-shattering for a naturally aspirated engine of the LS6's size and weight, at least, until 2005 when the first of the fourth generation small block was released. In 2005 the Corvette went from its fifth generation vehicle to the now current sixth generation, and with the change in body also came the biggest change: the introduction of the Chevrolet LS2. The LS2 was almost identical to the LS6 engine in performance and displacement, but also featured a much more even Torque curve through-out the RPM range, and had the potential to be modified for incredible gains. It was from this base LS2 that the LS7--the now revered 505HP and 470 lb ft torque monster--was produced and introduced to the 2006 Corvette. Just one year after the update of the small block, this engine seemed to be where everything was building, and the Z06 became the undeniable greatest performance bang for the buck on the globe. Within the year, there were Z06's running against quarter-million dollar European exotics on racetracks all across the globe, and each one came with the distinctive sound and tone that only a Chevrolet small block V8 can deliver through the exhaust.
Of course, Chevrolet wasn't finished there (thankfully, they're dedicated to the production of envelope-pushing performance machines) and we saw such engines as the 430HP LS3 (now outfitting the base-level C6 Corvette and the Chevrolet Camaro SS), the LSA (a 556HP Supercharged monster that can be found in the world's fastest production sedan, the Cadillac CTS-V and will also hit the streets in the body of the new super-Camaro ZL1 this year), and the engine that would be made as number 100,000,000--the LS9.
The LS9 is an absolute marvel worth talking about as well, especially considering that everything before it brought us to this point. The LS9, which can only be found in the top of the line Corvette ZR1, produces an amazing supercharged 6.2L engine based on the LS3 block and putting out a ferocious 638bhp and 604 lb ft of torque. Those numbers, in combination with the Corvette's lightweight body and wide, aggressive stance, have produced a vehicle that runs track times that best it's $250,000+ competitors. Today, the ZR1 is the undeniable greatest bargain on wheels that exists for the performance minded consumer, and, as such, is the only engine fitting to be given the designation as number 100,000,000 of its kind.
Of course, Chevrolet's not stopping at 100,000,000 and the future of the small block engine holds a great deal of excitement. Already, official reports have come out that Chevrolet is updating their engine for the seventh-generation of their Corvette, and we may see the introduction of such features as direct injection and an upgraded combustion chamber design, as well as the improved performance and efficiency numbers to match. GM enthusiasts should expect to see the next small block engine first hit the streets in the C7 Corvette, scheduled for release some time in 2014.
Chevrolet to Assemble LS9 Live at SEMA
If you're going to SEMA this year, you're in for quiet a treat. Ok, so, that's an obvious statement, because you'll be at SEMA, but Chevrolet will be doing especially cool. At their Chevrolet booth, to try and keep attention and crowds up, they will have a team of mechanics and engineers there assembling, from scratch, a LS9 engine--you know, the monster under the hood in the Corvette ZR1. Since Chevy began offering their build your own LS9 program, a lot of interesting videos and press has come out concerning the program. This latest push towards that same promotional direction, is a great one too.
SEMA has quickly become one of the world's premiere car conventions, and now draws major interest from every major manufacturer (both of vehicles and of vehicle modifications). At SEMA, you're certain to see a near limitless number of beautiful cars from all corners of the globe, but there exist few vehicles on Earth that compete with the Corvette ZR1, which is what makes this display so cool. The LS9 is an absolute marvel of modern automotive engineering. It is fairly basic, really, as it's built on a long-tradition of Chevy small-block V8s and hasn't changed much of the over-all function or design in a long time, but it's the vast minor improvements made over the year that make the LS9 such an incredible beast. So, if you're at SEMA this year, be sure to stop by the Chevrolet booth and check out the ZR1 powering LS9 production display--and ask questions while you're there, too! The mechanic and engineer crew is there not just to build, but also to answer questions for the people attending!
Road and Track’s Road vs Track ZR1 and C6.R Showdown
Road & Track lived up to their name this time when they pitted the ultimate American Road machine, the Corvette ZR1, against the ultimate American track machine, Corvette Racing's C6.R. The ZR1 is a nasty, aggressive, mean, cruel, powerful, and all around monster of a production vehicle that uses its 6.2L Supercharged V8 to tear up stretches of asphalt and spit them out. The C6.R has been dominating in its class all year long, and if a beautiful and incredible piece of machinery that highlights the dance-like capabilities of the Corvette body on the track. Radical vs Refined. Beast vs Beauty. Road vs Track.
The C6.R, as the comparison shows, is still a powerful and capable machine. The regulations of the ACO prohibit the C6.R from utilizing the bigger, more powerful engine of the ZR1. They also limit the brakes, and other aspects, of the C6.R, so that it must shave weight wherever it can to maximize performance. Because of its weight-saving designs, and its race tuned body, the C6.R does more with less, and posts track times that are the envy of most other vehicles on Earth. Of course, in doing all of this, it loses a lot of the explosive tail-end focused power of the ZR1. The ZR1 provides this power thanks to its TVS Supercharged LS9 which delivers 638 and 604 Torque to its wide wide wheels. The vehicle is still designed for road driving though, and because of that comes with the niceties and amenities (A/C, Stereo, Power Accessories) that are expected of such. These things give it a much heavier build than the C6.R, and as result, a tail-end that, while powerful, is infamous for losing itself around sharp corners quickly. Who can blame it though? With that much power, it can't be an easy job to hold the asphalt. I've also never read or seen any review of the ZR1 that doesn't call it an absolute blast to drive, many of which even highlight its wild and aggressive nature (and fish-tailing rear-end) as reasons why it is, possibly, the ultimate driver's vehicle.
Based on these two things, this is definitely a fun and interesting comparison, the results of which aren't wholly surprising, but which are cool to see. Here's a little teaser video for the upcoming Road & Track magazine that's worth a watch, and be sure to check out the actual written comparison when it's released, as it looks like it will be a great article, from start to finish.
GM Files for “Stingray” Trademark; Convertible Tops Service Bulletin
A couple news stories for today:
The first comes from a watchful eye at a Trademark office who found a filing by GM to Trademark the Stingray moniker. They apparently filed the trademark as being for “Land based vehicles, namely automobiles.” This news would almost ultimately lead one to believe that they're looking to release a Stingray version of, most likely, the C7. Just as the filed for the ZR1 Trademark in 2007, a few years before the ZR1 hit the market, this is most likely indicative of the future release of a Stingray Corvette. Of course, this isn't exactly amazing news, as Chevy has made a Stingray Sideswipe prototype for Transformers 3 and not been shy at all about that vehicle. Hopefully though, we'll get to see the C7 and all of its Stingray glory some time soon.
The Second story is a much less happy one:
Here's a note for all 2008-09 Convertible Corvette drivers: Don't speed. At least, not too much. There have been some complaints about Convertible tops ripping, and even dislodging, at speeds of over 100MPH. This will, of course, mess with your shit if it happens to you. The best way to avoid this is simply don't go over 100MPH, but where's the fun in that? Acknowledging their mistake, GM has released an official service bulletin for all potentially endangered Corvettes. The Service Recall will be active through May 31st, 2011, so now's a good time to go have your Corvette top replaced. There's an excerpt from the official service bulletin below:
GENERAL MOTORS Owners of 2008-9 Chevrolet Corvette convertibles may have trouble keeping a roof over their heads. In T.S.B. 08312A issued on July 1, G.M. said that the top fabric might begin to separate from its retainer bracket near the windshield. At speeds over 100 m.p.h., the roof material could tear from the front all the way to the rear window. A new retainer bracket should keep things together. This repair program runs through May 31, 2011.
Chevy to Hault ZR1 Production?
There have been some rumors lately that, come 2011, GM will pull the plug on ZR1 production. While, at first, this seems like a genuinely negative move by Chevrolet, it does make some sense. The rumors cite poor sales versus cost of production as reasons for the potential end of the production run, but there are most likely other factors at play. We've been told we'll see a C7 Corvette come either 2012 or 2013, so haulting production on the ZR1 opens it up for that new C7 to be the top dog. Doing it in 2011 also gives them a year to convert those plant resources to C7 production.
The question then becomes, not when the ZR1 Production will end, but when will it start again? Here's where the issues with this come in. I love the ZR1, and I'm sure most of you do also. With the new, more stringent, MPG laws taking place, it doesn't seem that there's really a place for the ZR1 in the Chevrolet line-up anymore. Getting Z06 power to meet the MPG demands will be a task, and asking someone to do that from an engine as potent as the ZR1 is really pushing it (or pushing the price skyward). So, we shouldn't worry then about the C6 ZR1's end, but instead about the C7 ZR1's beginning. It would be nice to see a C7 ZR1, but nothing can be certain. I'd be inclined to believe that Chevrolet would find a way to get even greater performance from their C7 'Vette past the promised Z06 build a few years in to its production, but nothing's certain. Maybe then, those of us without ZR1s, should start saving up our extra change to get one while we still can. I'm certain that the ZR1 will be quiet a collector's item one day, as its hand-produced engine, rarity, and beauty will keep it coveted for decades to come.
GM’s New On*Star Smartphone App
GM has officially announced their future iPhone and Android Smartphone On*Star App and has released a video providing details in to its workings. It seems like a fantastic function that any GM owner will enjoy coupling with their vehicle, as it allows (and is not limited to) such features as remote start, door locks, and vehicle monitoring. The App provides distance beyond what the remote key-fobs give, as it can be utilized anywhere you have phone service. I can see this being incredibly handy when leaving work, a mall, or a sporting event on a hot day as it allows you to start the vehicle (and consequently the A/C) from far enough away for the vehicle to be cool inside by the time you reach it. The monitoring of fuel levels, tire pressure, and other basic vehicle statistics via the phone is also fairly incredible. While it doesn't seem like an absolute necessity, it is a very nice touch. I see no reason why somebody, with the capability to, wouldn't utilize it to some manner. The video below is short but sweet, and provides some solid information and insight in to the phone application's function. It's a smart move by GM in the proper technological step, and I imagine we'll be seeing other, more "luxurious", brands begin implementing similar systems in the near future.
Cool Corvette Commercial and ZR1 Discount
Chevrolet's working on a lot of marketing as of late, and their newest commercial is a great one. Highlighting the fact that NASA no longer has a functioning manned space-craft in their line-up, they play off of that and show that some rockets still exist in the USA. Highlighting the ZR1 is a smart move too, as the Corvette is the definite "halo car" for the Chevrolet line-up. Regardless of its practicality, everybody still dreams about some day owning a Corvette, and it's great to highlight that. The interesting thing about the commercial though is its timing. Chevrolet hasn't advertised the Corvette in a commercial in 5 years time, and with Corvette sales lagging behind averages right now and the C7 model still a few years out, it seems like an odd time, but one can assume that Chevrolet is banking on the undeniable Corvette love factor to take over when viewers are bombarded with the vehicle, and return some respect to Chevrolet as a whole, since all of their vehicles must share, in some manner, genetic material with the Corvette. It seems like a pretty smart move, and it's a great commercial, so I'm all for it.
Beyond that, Chevrolet's also trying to boost Corvette sales by offering discounts on the ZR1 for the first time since it hit markets. As the dealership surplus on the vehicle has risen to almost 500 beautiful works of art sitting without owners, Chevy has decided to offer a rebate on their ultimate performance monster. Hopefully this moves some more ZR1's (and it should, when coupled with the commercial above) and gives Chevy reason to continue making the ZR1 build with the C7 model. All in all, this week has given us a cool commercial, a cool discount, and some hot spy videos/pictures of a cool proto-car for a movie, all by Chevrolet. They're doing something right! Keep it up!
50 Years of Corvette at Le Mans
This is a pretty cool thing that Corvette and Le Mans are doing. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Corvette's place at Le Mans, Chevy has five very prominent (and gorgeous) Corvettes at the ALMS Race at Laguna Seca this weekend being showcased. The video here shows the vehicles together, and I must say, I'd love to have any of them, as they're all gorgeous cars. A fun watch: